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Jul 30, 2018

Vietnam jails 15 more over economic zone protests

HANOI - A court in Vietnam has handed out prison sentences to 15
protesters arrested during mass demonstrations last month against
proposed special economic zones in the Southeast Asian country, state
media reported on Tuesday.

Despite sweeping reforms, communist-ruled Vietnam tolerates little
dissent. The country’s constitution allows freedom of assembly, but
protests are often broken up by police.

At least 31 people have been jailed for taking part in the nationwide
demonstrations, triggered by fears that investors from China would
dominate the 99-year land leases up for development in the zones.

In a trial which ended late on Monday, the People’s Court of Bien Hoa
City, in the south of the country, sentenced the protesters to between
eight to 18 months in prison.

Five others were given 12- to 14-months probation on charges of “causing public disorder”, Voice of Vietnam Radio said.

They were arrested when taking to the streets on June 10 and “caused traffic jams”, the report cited the indictment as saying.

Their lawyers were not immediately available for comment.

Earlier this month, 16 people were jailed under identical charges in
Binh Thuan province. June’s protests had turned violent in the province,
with protesters hurling bricks and petrol bombs at police.

Monday’s trial came less than two weeks after a court in Ho Chi Minh
City ordered the release and deportation of William Anh Nguyen, 32, an
American man of Vietnamese descent who was also arrested for “causing
public disorder” during the protests.

“They have done nothing wrong,” Nguyen wrote on his twitter account
after Monday’s sentencing. “The fight for justice and democracy
continues”.
https://www.geezgo.com/sps/32887